WINTER GARDEN — All three mayoral candidates say a well-defined growth plan is essential for managing the city's development.

Mayor Ralph Fulford, who is seeking his fourth term, faces opposition from Bob Barber and Julian Revels, for the two-year mayor-commissioner seat.

Barber, 48, the former administrator of West Orange Memorial Hospital and owner of the House of Rental on State Road 50, has lived in the city for 16 years.

Although he said he chose Winter Garden because of its small town atmosphere, he sees a need for controlled but increased growth.

He cited his experience as hospital administrator, president of the chamber of commerce and Rotary Club as examples of his leadership ability.

Barber said his campaign against Fulford and Revels will be straightforward and friendly. ''I don't want to polarize a city this small,'' he said.

Barber has already made an effort to enlist support for his candidacy from the black community -- a community that has not been well-represented in the city's government.

Speaking at a fund-raiser for District 3 commissioner candidate Mildred Dixon, Barber told the audience he did not want to have a ''black'' and ''white'' team working toward separate goals in Winter Garden, but ''one team'' working for the same goals.

Revels, who has lived in the city for 33 years and served on the city commission for 14, said he has the experience to address the community's problems.

''We have something to be proud of in Winter Garden,'' he said, ''but we need to grow -- and not grow helter-skelter.''

Not enough has been done for the city's senior citizens, he said. Revels wants to develop more senior citizen homes and recreational facilities, as well as work on completion of the playground acquired from Orange County Community Development.

Revels, 61, who ran in the last mayoral race in 1983, said he is ready to serve the city again. ''I think I could make a good mayor,'' he said.

Fulford, the 56-year-old incumbent mayor, said his experience as mayor makes him the best candidate.

The council in the past few years has done an ''excellent'' job, he said, with accomplishments such as a new fire station, new city hall complex and more paved streets.

As long as the city can control growth along State Road 50, he said, the area will not have to grow in a haphazard manner. Living in Winter Garden almost all his life, he said, has helped him see where the city can and needs to grow.

If elected to a new term, Fulford said one of his priorities will be to furnish equipment for the 15-acre playground.